If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures. Missionary work—introducing our publications into families, conversing, and praying with and for them—is a good work and one which will educate men and women to do pastoral labor (Ellen G. White, The Publishing Ministry, p. 272).
Literature evangelists, often known as colporteurs, have been a vital component in spreading the Adventist message since its earliest days. These are self-supporting workers who travel door-to-door, speaking with people in their homes, and selling Adventist publications. In the days before quick and easy transport, before the Internet, and even before the widespread telephone network, literature, including newspapers, magazines, tracts, and books, were the best way to reach people, both in urban and rural areas.
These days, particularly in North America and Europe, door-to-door salesmen are rarely seen. We can find or buy everything we need on the Internet. We hardly know our neighbors, let alone strangers showing up at our door and asking to be let inside. There are some parts of the world, though, where the culture is less insular, more sociable, and more willing to make strangers welcome. Where there is no or limited access to the Internet or to superstores, people have fewer ways to learn about the Adventist message. Here is where boots on the ground can make a real difference.
Although literature evangelists are self-supporting, most ministers are expected to spend some time, either before or during their studies, in working door-to-door to sell Adventist literature. The Global Adventist Pastor Survey (GAPS) in 2013 found that 72.8% of them had worked as literature evangelists at some time: that’s almost three in four.
GAPS 2013 and 2023: Did you ever work as a literature evangelist?
The 2023 Global Adventist Pastor Survey found almost identical results, with 72.9% answering in the affirmative.
The 2023 GAPS asked how long the pastors had worked as literature evangelists.
How long did you work as a literature evangelist?
The answers revealed that more than two-thirds of them had worked between 3 months and 4 years: 23.1% for 3–11 months, 22.7% for 1–2 years, and 22.6% for 3–4 years. Another 11.8% had been literature evangelists for less than 3 months, 14.2% for 5–9 years, 4.4% for 10–19 years, and 1.2% for 20 or more years.
Did you mostly work part-time or full-time when you were a literature evangelist?
Roughly half of the pastors, 46%, worked full time as literature evangelists, while the other half, 54% worked part time.
I worked as a literature evangelist as part of my theological training
Finally, the survey revealed that 78.9% of the pastors who took the survey had worked as literature evangelists as part of their theological training.
Although many Adventists, especially in the Western world, believe that literature evangelism is outdated and a waste of time and resources, it remains an important method for spreading the Gospel around the world.
Perhaps with another look at our approach and going back to Ellen White’s advice of “conversing, and praying with and for them,” we could start reaching out to the isolated, lonely people in our own modern, technologically saturated world. This is an important skill that future pastors can certainly benefit from.
You can access the 2013 and 2023 Global Adventist Pastor Surveys.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 3/11/2025